Description
Castor bean is an evergreen herbaceous or semi-woody large shrub or small tree. This robust tender perennial can grow to 40 feet tall, developing woody stems over a few years in frost-free climates. Because of its rapid, vigorous growth, it is easily grown as a warm season annual in temperate climates, but it rarely exceeds 6-10 feet in a single growing season. This fast growing plant tends to grow straight up at first, developing branches later in the season to form a well-proportioned shrub with sturdy stems & a dense canopy. The plant is killed when the temperature drops below 32F. Unlike many members of the euphorbia family, this plant does not have milky latex sap, but has a watery sap. When grown as an ornamental, castor bean can be planted directly in the garden in late spring, or started indoors earlier (6-8 weeks before the average last frost) & transplanted outdoors when the weather warms. Nick or scarify the seeds or soak overnight for better germination. Sow the seeds 1-1½ inches deep. Seedlings should start coming up in 1-3 weeks. The young plants grow quite quickly & may need repotting into larger containers before transplanting outdoors. Place the plants outdoors in full sun & deep, rich soil about 4 feet apart. Provide plenty of water & fertilizer to achieve the largest size. Once established it can tolerate drought. Wind can shred the leaves, so they should be placed in a protected spot if possible. Plants can be pruned to limit the size, or may need staking if top heavy; otherwise this plant needs very little maintenance. Castor bean has few pests, although spider mites can sometimes be a problem in hot, dry weather. If for growing, seeds can be very tough to germinate at times. Soaking in warm water for no less than 12 hours is recommended. Soil must remain moist & no less than 73 degrees. Light is not necessary until it emerges from the soil. Season: Annual FULL SUN Zones: 3 - 11 Height: 14'+ Bloom Season: Mid summer to late fall Bloom Color: Green Germination Time: 15-28 days Castor Bean Seeds, Beautifully Patterned Bean Seeds, Palma Christi, Wonderboom, Select Seeds Amount
